Vitória vs Bahia Prediction: The Baiano classic returns to the Brasileirão five years later

The two rivals from Salvador have met 497 times in all competitions, including the Campeonato Brasileiro in the different divisions, the Campeonato Baiano, Copa do Nordeste and other smaller tournaments. Bahia has won 193 times and Vitória 153. It's an old rivalry that has returned to the Brasileirão this year. The last time the Clássico Ba-Vi took place in the Série A was in 2018.

Vitória has only played one game in the league because of its Round 2 match postponement. Therefore, its only match was a 1-0 defeat at home to Palmeiras. The Barra's Lion hadn't lost at the Barradão for ten months, which made the Brazilian champion's task very difficult. On March 31, Vitória beat rival Bahia 3-2 at home in the final of the Campeonato Baiano after trailing 2-0. It was the fourth time this year that the teams had met. Three of them were for the Baianão and the other for the Copa do Nordeste. 

After losing their opening game against Internacional in Porto Alegre, the Baianos had to avoid another defeat in Round 2. After Germán Cano opened the score in the 4th minute, everything seemed to be on course for another poor result, but the heavy rain blessed the Tricolor. With the pitch flooded, the referee stopped the game for an hour. Bahia came out on top again and turned the result around, winning 2-1 with fine goals from Caio Alexandre and Cauly. In the classic against Vitória, Rogério Ceni's side will fight for the points in an adverse atmosphere, but it won't be easy.

This year in the Campeonato Baiano, Vitória has beaten rival Bahia 3-2 at home twice. The Barra's Lion is strong at home and has gone ten months without losing at its stadium. Therefore, I will bet on a Double Chance in favor of Vitória with a maximum of four goals in the match. Another alternative will be to bet on both teams to score, as it happened in the last five times the Baianos rivals have met.